Wagner retakes lead

6-under-64 puts first-round co-leader back on top by two strokes at Greenbrier Classic

Associated Press

Associated Press

Published 9:32 pm, Saturday, July 6, 2013

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV - JULY 06: Johnson Wagner watches his second shot on the 16th hole during round three of the Greenbrier Classic at the Old White TPC on July 6, 2013 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 159809790

Wagner entered the day one stroke behind Matt Every. Wagner had seven birdies and a bogey in his round.

No third-round leader has gone on to win the Greenbrier Classic, now in its fourth year.

The tournament has been decided by playoffs the past two years, and Stuart Appleby shot 59 in the final round to win by a stroke in 2010.

Walker finished one stroke out of a playoff in the 2011 Greenbrier Classic and tied for fourth in 2010.

Still searching for his first tour win, Walker woke up sick early Friday morning and still wasn't feeling well Saturday.

His swing certainly didn't suffer.

After seven straight pars on the front nine, Walker ran off five birdies down the stretch, including a 17-foot putt on the par-3 18th.

Walker is hoping to secure a spot in the British Open in two weeks. After the Greenbrier Classic, the leading five players not already exempt from inside the top 20 in the FedExCup points standings will earn a spot at Muirfield. Walker is 24th.

Sweden's Jonas Blixt was four strokes behind Wagner at 10 under after shooting 67.

European Tour: Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland and Richard Sterne of South Africa share a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the French Open. McDowell shot a 1-under 70 while Sterne had a 71 on the tough Albatross course of Le Golf National, leaving both at 5-under 208. Bernd Wiesberger of Austria (68), David Howell of England (69) and Richard Green of Australia (70) were at 209. Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark and Simon Dyson of England were at 210. Francesco Molinari of Italy had the day's best round, a 67 that left him four shots back. Second-round leader Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay fell to 214 after a 78. Thomas Bjorn of Denmark held a two-shot lead after a birdie on No. 8 — where he nearly had a hole-in-one but the ball lipped out — before dropping four shots in the last four holes.